The National Council for EU Integration concluded at its first session yesterday that receiving a date for start of the negotiations for EU membership and canceling of the visa regime are this council's key objectives for this year. This council is chaired by SDSM leader Radmila Sekerinska, and it includes Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Gabriela Konevska-Trajkovska and representatives of the parliamentary parties, media, nongovernmental organizations, the religious communities, trade unions, and the chambers of commerce.

At the start of every year, the Council will present to the Assembly a plan, that is, a list of EU-related laws that the parliamentarians will have to ratify.